Modular burner with an optimized supply for a hob

ABSTRACT

Modular burner for a hob of a cooking appliance, characterised in that it comprises a base body ( 20 ) in turn comprising a frame ( 22 ), a burner base ( 21,121 ) mountable centrally onto the frame ( 22 ), at least one lid ( 11,12,111 ) intended to close on the upper part the frame ( 22 ) and the burner base ( 21,121 ) and at least one distribution chamber ( 60,160,260 ) fixed beneath one side ( 22 ′) of the frame ( 22 ), said distribution chamber being provided with at least one nozzle ( 70 ) for supplying gas and connected with at least one Venturi pipe ( 71,72,73 ) and with primary air suction inlets ( 75 ) in such a manner to receive the gas supply and distribute it to the modular burner.

The present invention regards a modular burner with an optimised supplyfor a hob of a cooking appliance.

Hobs for cookers, bearing a plurality of burners arranged at the centreof hobs and provided with underlying holders adapted to collect thedrippings and food remnants overflowing from the cooking containers,have been known over the years.

Such burners are usually made circular-shaped and they are provided witha plurality of holes or grooves around the circumference for releasinggas, flame spreaders, through which the flame is distributed to heat thebottom of the container.

Thus, according to the known technique, both the hob and holder have acentral opening of relatively big dimensions, passed through by theburner, providing in such zone an expansion vessel which is in turncovered by a lid provided with flame spreader grooves.

Hobs of the abovementioned type are already outdated, given thatrecessed hobs and generally hobs occupying less vertical space are usedin modern cookers.

Therefore, burners provided with supply nozzles and small mixingchambers having throttles to exploit the Venturi principle to suctionprimary air depending on the conditions both above or beneath the hoband to mix it with the supplied gas.

Schematic examples of such embodiments according to the known techniqueare indicated in FIGS. 1 and 2, where the same elements are indicatedwith the same references.

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a burner 1 with primary air suction A1beneath the hob, while the burner 1′, illustrated in FIG. 2 provides forthe suction of the primary air above the hob.

Both burners 1, 1′ according to the known technique comprise a body 2, ahead 3, a nozzle 4 for gas supply G, a throttle or a horizontal Venturipipe facing the nozzle for suctioning the primary air A1.

Provided in the head zone is a mixing chamber 6 having the flamespreaders 7 from which the mixture is released to be ignited and to mixwith the secondary air A2.

Embodiments according the known technique are intended for burners withone or more flame crowns (usually circular) supplied by a single nozzle.

A drawback of such burners lies in the fact that regardless the presenceof the horizontal Venturi pipe, suctioning and the subsequent mixing ofprimary air is limited, by the configuration of the burner, to a singlepipe and to the corresponding mixing chamber hence the combustion cannotbe complete and the burner cannot be efficient.

Another drawback can be observed in the poor possibility to distributethe flame properly upon variation of the maximum heating power desiredin a burner. In burner configurations according to the known art themaximum power of the flame directly depends on the diameter of theburner. However, increasing such diameter implies varying the size ofthe hob increasing the production costs of the cooker.

Thus, the general objective of the present invention is that ofovercoming the abovementioned drawbacks of the known art providing amodular burner with an optimised supply for a hob.

A particular objective of the present invention is that of providing amodular burner of an easily variable power depending on the useconditions.

In the light of the abovementioned objectives, according to the presentinvention, a modular burner with an optimised hob was conceived, havingthe characteristics outlined in the attached claims.

Structural and functional characteristics of the present invention aswell as its advantages with respect to the known art shall be clearerand more evident from the observation of the following description, withreference to the attached drawings, which show a modular burner madeaccording to the innovative principles of the invention itself.

IN THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1 and 2 are raised sectional schematic views of two burnersaccording to the known art;

FIGS. 3 a and 3 b are perspective views, respectively seen from the topand from below, of the burner according to the invention;

FIG. 3 c is a raised sectional view of a portion of a burner of FIGS. 3a,3 b;

FIGS. 4 a and 4 b are perspective views respectively, seen from the topand from below, of a detail of the burner of FIGS. 3 a,3 b according tothe invention;

FIGS. 4 c-4 e are respectively a plan view, alongside sectional frontand side views of a detail of the burner of FIGS. 4 a,4 b according tothe invention;

FIG. 5 is a raised sectional view of the burner of FIGS. 3 a and 3 b;

FIG. 6 is a perspective exploded view of the base of the burneraccording to the invention;

FIGS. 7 and 8 show a burner babe according to the invention in aperspective view, respectively seen from above and below;

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the burner according to theinvention;

FIGS. 10 a and 10 b respectively show a plan and raised view of a burneraccording to the invention;

FIGS. 11 a and 11 b are perspective views, respectively seen from aboveand below, of a burner according to a different embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 11 c is a raised sectional view of a portion of the burner of FIGS.11 a,11 b;

FIGS. 12 a and 12 b are perspective views, respectively seen from aboveand below, of a detail of the burner of FIGS. 11 a,11 b;

FIGS. 12 c-12 e are respectively a plan view, alongside sectional frontand side views of a detail of the burner of FIGS. 12 a,12 b;

FIGS. 13 a and 13 b are perspective views, respectively seen from aboveand below, of a burner according to a different embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 13 c is a raised sectional view of a portion of the burner of FIGS.13 a,13 b;

FIGS. 14 a and 14 b are perspective views, respectively seen from aboveand below, of a detail of the burner of FIGS. 13 a,13 b;

FIGS. 14 c-14 e are respectively a plan view, alongside sectional frontand side views of a detail of the burner of FIGS. 14 a,14 b;

FIGS. 15 a and 15 b are perspective views, respectively seen from aboveand below, of a burner according to a different embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 15 c is a raised sectional view of a portion of the burner of FIGS.15 a,15 b;

FIG. 16 shows a plan view of the burner according to FIGS. 15 a,15 b;

FIGS. 17 and 18 a,18 b show a perspective view of the same number ofdetails of the burner according to FIGS. 15 a,15 b;

FIG. 19 shows an exploded perspective view of the burner according toFIGS. 15 a,15 b;

FIGS. 20 a and 20 b show a perspective view, respectively seen fromabove and below, of the base of the burner according to FIGS. 15 a,15 b.

Referring to the figures, a modular burner 10 intended for a hob of acooking appliance comprises a base body 20 in turn comprising a frame 22exemplified in a non-limiting manner as quadrangular-shaped, a burnerbase 21 centrally mountable onto the frame 22, at least one lid,preferably an external lid 11 and an internal lid separated andrespectively intended to close the frame 22 and the burner base 21 onthe upper part.

The frame comprises four arms of which one to three of the support arms23 and at least one burner arm 24 extend radially towards the centre ofthe same.

In the embodiment exemplified in FIGS. 3 a-14 e of the burner, providedare three support arms 23 projecting from the centre of three sides ofthe frame and a burner arm 24 projecting from the centre of theremaining side 22′. However, it should be observed that the number andthe position of the same can be varied. The burner arm 24 is thusU-shaped and it is connected to a channel 29′ connected to alongitudinal recess 73 provided on the side 22′ of the frame 22.

The recess 73, closed on the upper part by the lid 11, is in turnconnected to a distribution chamber 60 for supplying and distributinggas to the entire burner base 21, through at least one opening 71provided with a throttle 72 passing through the bottom of the recessitself.

Furthermore, the burner arm 24 has flame spreader grooves 30 made alongthe edge of the flaps 35 of the U-shape to allow, along such section,lighting up of the flame.

Provided at the end facing inwards the frame of each support arm 23 is aseat 31 adapted to accommodate the corresponding ends of the burningbase 21 and allow its fastening.

Given that it is required to allow the passage of gas along the channel29′, the burner arm 24 is provided with a lower bracket 38 adapted to beconnected to a corresponding lower abutment 37 extending from the burnerbase 21.

The burner base 21 is provided with radial channels 27 configured insuch a manner to correspond to the arms 23,24 in such a manner to besupported by the latter and allow the circulation of the gas provided bythe channel 29′.

The burner base 21 further comprises a crown 26 provided with a centralopening 28 for aeration, with channels 27 extending radially from saidcrown.

Three of the channels 27 are each provided at their open ends with abracket 32 intended for one of the three arms 23.

The fourth channel 27 is preset to be connected to the burner arm 24 andprovides a lower abutment 37 for this purpose.

Both the crown 26 and the channels 27 are U-shaped with flaps 35 and abottom 36.

The three channels 27 intended for connection with the three supportarms 23 are further provided with a transverse septum 34 which closesthe channel at its end to be inserted into the seat 31.

The fourth channel 27 intended to be connected with the burner arm 24 isU-shaped and provided with an open pipe 29, to be connected to thechannel 29′ to allow gas delivery to the burner.

Provided along the edges of the flaps 35 are flame spreader grooves 30.

Preset for the closure of the pipes on the upper part are lids 11 and 12seal fixed by means of screws. Provided on the upper part of such lids11,12 are respectively first and second flaps 13 and 13′ for holding thecooking containers at a raised position with respect to the burner, thefirst flaps 13 are provided for extending from the external lid 11 whilethe second flaps extend from the internal lid 12 for holding smallercooking containers.

The external lid 11 is thus provided corresponding to the frame 22.

The internal lid 12 is made corresponding to the burner base 21, inparticular it comprises four plates 17 projecting radially from acentral crown 16 configured in a manner such to correspond respectivelyto the radial channels 27 and to the crown 26 of the burner base.

The internal lid 12 is further provided with an opening corresponding tothe aeration opening 28 of the burner base.

Fixed beneath the frame 22 is a holder 78 for collecting the drippings,provided with a perimeter fixing edge 78′, corresponding to the shape ofthe frame 22 and provided with an opening 79 extended along the side 22′of the frame from which the burner arm 24 extends.

The quadrangular shape of the plate, preferably squared, allowsmanufacturing modular cookers made up of a limited number of differentcomponents, guaranteeing considerable saving in terms of productioncosts.

The distribution chamber 60 is made oblong-shaped in such a manner tosubstantially extend along the entire side 22′ of the frame 22 fromwhich the burner arm 24 extends centrally.

The distribution chamber 60 thus comprises a tray 64 contoured by aperimeter edge 65 through which it is fixed beneath the frame 22 withthe perimeter edge 78′of the holder 78 interposed at the opening 79 ofsuch perimeter edge 78′.

The distribution chamber 60 is supplied through a main gas pipe 61ending in at least one coupling 62 which is inserted into the tray 64.

In the exemplified embodiment the distribution chamber is supplied atthree separate and equispaced supply positions, provided by means ofinlet pipes 67 connected to three couplings 62 to each one of which abranching of the main gas pipe 61 is connected.

The inlet pipes 67 are provided inside the lugs 63 provided withreinforcement ribs 69 connected to the external of the distributionchamber 60 beneath the tray 64 and fixed to the perimeter edge 65 of thelatter.

In proximity to the internal end, each inlet pipe is perpendicularlyconnected to a channel 68 which passes through the bottom of the tray 64and it is preset to accommodate a nozzle 70.

Each of the three nozzles 70 faces the bottom of the frame 22 arrangedover the tray 64 directly beneath the opening 71.

The opening 71 and the related throttle 72 ending up in the recess 73 inpractice provide a Venturi pipe.

The side 22′ is provided on the lower part of the frame, along theentire length of the sides of the primary air delivery fittings 75 toallow suctioning through the depression caused by the gas emitted by thenozzle which passes through the Venturi pipe provided by the opening 71with the related throttle 72 which ends up in the recess 73.

Such three nozzled distribution chamber is intended for high powerburners to exploit the gas/air mixture to the maximum.

Depending on the number of nozzles provided it is possible to modify thesuction mode of primary air through the delivery fittings 75 thusobtaining an increase of the gas/air mixture distribution to be conveyedto the burner.

The burner according to the invention is susceptible to advantageousconstruction variants.

Referring to FIGS. 11 a-12 e illustrated is a different embodiment inwhich the distribution chamber 160 is provided with a single centralnozzle 70 supplied by the pipe 61 with a relative coupling 62 of therelated inlet pipe 67.

Correspondingly provided is a single Venturi pipe defined by the opening71, throttle 72 ending up in the recess 73, the other characteristicsremaining substantially identical to the three nozzled embodiment.

Though maintaining the modular support dimensions of the plateidentical, such embodiment is intended for low power flames.

According to a different embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 13 a-14 e adistribution chamber 260 has two nozzles 70 supplied by the pipe 61 withthe related two fittings 62 each regarding the related inlet pipe 67.Correspondingly provided are two Venturi pipes each defined by theopening 71, throttle 72 ending up in the recess 73, the othercharacteristics remaining substantially identical to the three nozzledembodiment.

Though maintaining the modular support dimensions of the plateidentical, such embodiment is intended for medium power flames.

Another different embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 15a-20 b and it is intended for high power flames.

In such embodiment, provided for are two distinct supplies 61 for twodistribution chambers.

In the exemplified embodiment a first distribution chamber 260 providesfor two nozzles and a second distribution chamber 60 provides for threenozzles, with the related characteristics described previously. Theframe 22 is consequently provided with two sides 22′ departing fromwhich are two burner arms 24 for a more substantial supply of air/gasmixture hence the square-shaped frame is provided with two support arms23.

Consequently, the perimeter edge 78′ of the holder 78 is correspondinglyprovided with two openings 79 to allow the passage of gas from the twodistribution chambers.

In the present embodiment, in order to obtain the highest flow rate ofthe fuel provided by the two distribution chambers, provided for is adouble burner 100 with a low flame and a high flame.

The double burner 100 thus comprises the base body 20 which in turncomprises the frame 22 intended to surround a double crown burner,provided with a burner base 121 with an external crown 122 and aninternal crown 123 connected.

Correspondingly, regarding the closure of the upper part alongside thelid 11 of the frame, provided is a lid 111 of the double crown burner inturn provided with an external crown 112 and an internal crown 113.Thus, the two burner arms 24 of the frame 22 supply a first channel 127′and a second channel 127″ of the burner base.

The first channel 127′, connected to the three nozzled distributionchamber 60, feeds the external crown while the second channel 127″connected to the two nozzled distribution chamber 260 feeds the internalcrown. Provided between the two crowns are flow separator elements 128to prevent preferential paths of the flows.

In such manner, it is possible to obtain a high gas flow ratemaintaining the efficiency of the mixture and thus an intense combustiondistributed on the two crowns.

Referring to the present description and the related figures, it isclear how a modular burner according to the invention is particularlyuseful and advantageous. Thus the objective outlined in the introductionof the description is attained.

Obviously, the shapes of the burner according to the invention may varyfrom the ones shown solely for exemplifying and non-limiting purposes inthe drawings. Therefore, the scope of protection of the invention isdelimited by the claims attached.

1. Modular burner for a hob of a cooking appliance, characterised inthat it comprises a base body (20) in turn comprising a frame (22), aburner base (21,121) mountable centrally onto the frame (22), at leastone lid (11,12,111) intended to close on the upper part the frame (22)and the burner base (21,121) and at least one distribution chamber(60,160,260) fixed beneath one side (22′) of the frame (22), saiddistribution chamber being provided with at least one nozzle (70) forsupplying gas and connected with at least one Venturi pipe (71,72,73)and with primary air suction inlets (75) in such a manner to receive agas supply and distribute it to the modular burner.
 2. Modular burneraccording to claim 1, characterised in that said burner isquadrangular-shaped, preferably squared.
 3. Modular burner according toclaim 1, characterised in that said frame (22) comprises four arms, ofwhich one to three are support arms (23) and at least one is a burnerarm (24), which extend radially towards the centre of the frame. 4.Modular burner according to claim 3, characterised in that said burnerhas a square frame (22) with three support arms (23) projecting from thecentre of three sides of the frame and one burner arm (24) projectingfrom the centre of the remaining side (22′) of the quadrangular frame(22).
 5. Modular burner according to claim 3, characterised in that saidburner has a square frame (22) with two support arms (23) and two burnerarms (24).
 6. Modular burner according to claim 3, characterised in thateach burner arm (24) is U-shaped with flaps (35) and it is provided witha channel (29′) connected to a longitudinal recess (73) provided on theside (22′) of the frame (22) for supplying gas to the entire burner base(21), said burner arm (24) further having flame spreader grooves (30)provided along the edge of the flaps (35) of the U-shape.
 7. Modularburner according to claim 6, characterised in that each burner arm (24)has a lower bracket (38) adapted to be connected to a correspondinglower abutment (37) extending from the burner base (21,121).
 8. Modularburner according to claim 7, characterised in that said burner base (21)is provided for equipped with radial channels (27) configured in amanner such to correspond to the arms (23,24) in such a manner to besupported by the latter and allow the circulation of the gas supplied bysaid at least one channel (29′).
 9. Modular burner according to claim 8,characterised in that said recess (73), closed on the upper part by thelid (11), is in turn connected with a distribution chamber (60,160,260)for supplying and distributing gas to the entire burner base (21),through at least one opening (71) provided with a throttle (72) passingthrough the bottom of the recess itself and ending up in the recess insuch a manner to cooperate to provide a Venturi pipe.
 10. Modular burneraccording to claim 9, characterised in that fixed beneath the frame (22)is a holder (78) for collecting the drippings provided with a perimeterfixing edge (78′) corresponding to the shape of the frame (22) andhaving an extended opening (79) along the side (22′) of the frame fromwhich the burner arm (24) extends.
 11. Modular burner according to claim10, characterised in that said distribution chamber (60,160,260) isoblong-shaped in such a manner to substantially extend along the entireside (22′) of the frame (22) from which the burner arm (24) extendscentrally.
 12. Modular burner according to claim 11, characterised inthat said distribution chamber (60,160,260) comprises a tray (64)contoured by a perimeter edge (65) through which it is fixed beneath theframe (22) with the perimeter edge (78′) of the holder (78) interposedat the opening (79) of such perimeter edge (78′) said distributionchamber (60,160,260) is supplied through a main gas pipe (61) ending inat least one coupling (62) which is inserted into the tray (64). 13.Modular burner according to claim 12, characterised in that thedistribution chamber (60,160,260) is supplied in at least one supplyposition, provided through an inlet pipe (67) connected to acorresponding fitting (62) connected to the main gas pipe (61) eachinlet pipe (67) being provided inside a pipe (63) provided withreinforcement ribs (69) connected to the external of the distributionchamber (60,160,260) beneath the tray (64) and fixed to the perimeteredge (65) of the latter in proximity to the internal end, each inletpipe is connected perpendicularly to a channel (68) which passes throughthe bottom of the tray (64) and it is preset to accommodate a nozzle(70) facing the bottom of the frame (22) arranged over the tray (64)directly beneath the opening (71).
 14. Modular burner according to claim13, characterised in that the side (22′) of the frame is provided on thelower side, along the entire length of the two sides, with primary airinlet fittings (75) to allow its suctioning through the depressioncaused by the gas emitted by the nozzle which passes through the Venturipipe provided at the opening (71) with the related throttle (72) whichends up in the recess (73).
 15. Modular burner according to claim 1,characterised in that said distribution chamber is alternativelyprovided with one, two or three nozzles (70) each facing a correspondingVenturi pipe (71,72,73).
 16. Modular burner according to claim 9,characterised in that said burner comprises a first distribution chamber(260) provided with two nozzles (70) and a second distribution chamber(60) provided with three nozzles (70) and in which the frame (22) isconsequently provided with two sides (22′) departing from which are twoburner arms (24) and consequently the perimeter edge (78′) of the holder(78) is correspondingly provided with two openings (79).
 17. Modularburner according to claim 1, characterised in that said burner is of thedouble burner type (100) with a low flame and a high flame, comprisingthe base body (20) comprising the frame (22) intended to surround adouble crown burner, provided with a burner base (121) with an externalcrown (122) and an internal crown (123) connected, correspondingly saidframe and said burner base are closed on the upper part respectively bymeans of the lid (11) and a lid (111) of the double crown burner in turnprovided with an external crown (112) and an internal crown (113). 18.Modular burner according to claim 17, characterised in that the twoburner arms (24) of the frame (22) supply a first channel (127′) and asecond channel (127″) of the burner base, the first channel (127′) beingconnected to the distribution chamber (60) with three nozzles (70),feeds the external crown (122), and the second channel (127″) connectedto the distribution chamber (260) with nozzles, feeds the internal crown(123) between said two crowns (122, 123) being provided flow separatorelements (128) to avoid preferential paths of the flows.